Bridle-bit



NTTEE TATES ATENT BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFIQATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 290,859, dated December 25, 1883.

Application filed April 6, 1883. (X0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLARENCE A. CHAND- LER, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Bridgewater, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of bridlebits which are so constructed as to provide a leverage by which the driver can bring a powerful pressure to bear upon the mouth of the animal and it relates particularly to bits which maybe converted from the ordinary bit to a curb or lever bit; and it consists in a pcculiar construction and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a bit in which the qualities of a stiff bit or a snafllebit are combined with those of a curb-bit, and which can be gradually con verted from the one to the other at the will of the driver by means of the pressure exerted through a single driving-rein; second, to provide a means of obtaining more or less elas ticity between the driving-rein and a stiff or snaffle bit; third, to so construct a combined stiff and curb bit that, when used as a curb, its strength shall not depend upon that of a spring.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention;

Figure 1 represents a side view of one end of my improved bit when used as an ordinary stiff or snafile bit. Fig. 2 represents it when used as a curb. Fig. 3 represents an end View of one side of a bit with my improvements.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

a represents thecurb strap or chain.

13 represents the driving-rein; c, the bit; d, the ring to which the driving rein is fastened.

6 represents the cheek-pieces,which are slotted or forked at their lower ends.

f represents a part of the bridle.

9 represents a flat coiled'spring, which is fastened in the slot of the cheek-piece e by two rivets, H H, and to the rein-ring d by a pin, i.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The coiled spring 9 tends to keep the reinring (1 against the cheek-piece e, as shown in Fig. 1. with a pressure equal to that exerted on the rein when driving under ordinary circumstances. \Vhen in this position, the force exerted by the driver acts directly on the bit 0,- hence there is no tendency to twist the bit or tighten the curb-chain, because there is no leverage; but if the force thus exerted is not sufficient, the driver can, by tightening the rein still more, cause the spring g to yield, and the rein-ringd to assume any position between those represented in Figs. 1 and 2. and thus cause the force exerted through the rein to act onthe cheek-pieces e either at the rivets H H, or at any point between the rivets and the bit 0, thus obtaining more or less leverage with which to curb.

Owing to the manner of applying the principle used in this bit, the rein-ring d may be swung through at least one-quarter of its travel from its position shown in Fig. 1 without materially affecting the leverage on the bit. This fact enables me to accomplish with the devices explained the second object mentioned above.

The spring forms the hinge for the rein-ring d,- henee there is very little wear at this joint, while the hinge part of the rein-ring completely encircles the spring and the rivets H H,which insures safety. Thus I accomplish my third object.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is-

The combination of the bit with the forked cheek-pieces e and the levers d, provided with the springs g, the levers and springs being secured between the forks of the cheek-pieces by means of the rivets H H, all substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

CLARENCE A. CHANDLER.

XVit-n esses WILLARD HOWLAND, SAMUEL W. MoCALL. 

